New agreement to continue delivering housing in remote communities in South Australia

2013-07-31

People in remote Indigenous communities in
South Australia
will benefit from more new and improved houses, after the Australian Government
and the South Australian Government agreed to a new implementation plan for the
$5.5 billion National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing
(NPARIH).

The Federal Minister for Indigenous
Affairs, Jenny Macklin, said the Australian Government's unprecedented
investment in housing was making a real difference to remote Indigenous
communities in South Australia.

"The new implementation plan will see
South Australia deliver a further 89 new houses and 26 refurbishments by 2018,
meaning 241 new homes will be delivered and 206 existing homes will be
refurbished over the 10 years of the national partnership agreement," Ms
Macklin said.

"This next phase of work comes after South Australia exceeded
its total original housing targets for the first five years of NPARIH, with 21
more homes built and 17 more refurbishments delivered.

"The National Partnership Agreement also
includes measures to improve the longevity of houses, with a strong focus on
property and tenancy management to bring remote Indigenous housing in line with
public housing standards."

The South Australian Minister for Social
Housing, Tony Piccolo, said this year work would take place in the communities
of Dunjiba, Indulkana, Kalka, Koonibba, Oak Valley,
Pukatja and Yalata.

Mr Piccolo said the housing program would
continue to create jobs for Indigenous people in South Australia.

"More than 24 per cent of the workforce
constructing new houses under NPARIH in South
Australia is Indigenous, providing jobs and training
opportunities for local communities," Mr Piccolo said.

"The implementation plan also commits us
to continue to work on Employment Related Accommodation, such as hostels and
subsidised rental housing in locations which offer employment, training and
education opportunities for remote residents."

Improving housing is a key element of the
Australian Government's commitment to closing the gap in Indigenous
disadvantage.

A safe home helps protect children,
improves health, education and employment outcomes and is essential to
rebuilding positive community norms.